16:10 Gowran ParkWed 12 Apr 7f Stks

Lord Massusus is a useful gelding who won twice in six runs last year, including a win at the Curragh in September. He finished third in a minor event at Naas in heavy conditions and has been off for 178 days. However, he is still respected and capable of going close.

Shadowed is coming off a career-best win in a 20-runner maiden at the Curragh over 7f on heavy ground. He had chased home subsequent Group 1 winner Auguste Rodin at Naas in his second run as a two-year-old, and his form was boosted by a good win for runner-up Something Nice at Cork last Saturday. Although he disappointed on his final start at Dundalk, he has shown good potential and likely has more to come.

Spirit Genie won a Roscommon maiden on his third start and was second in a five-runner Cork nursery. He struggled in a Listed race at Dundalk on his final start, but he had been steadily progressing prior to that and has strong claims on his seasonal debut, especially as the tongue-tie he wore in his maiden win has been left off.

Overall, Shadowed appears to be the top pick based on his recent win and previous form, while Lord Massusus and Spirit Genie both have potential and could challenge for the win.

16:40 Gowran ParkWed 12 Apr 1m Hcap

The 1m handicap race at Gowran Park on 12th April has a field of 18 runners, and here is a breakdown of the top contenders, along with others that could be in with a chance or are unlikely to win.

Asisaid is a 20/1 outsider, but is coming off the back of a career-best performance in a 14-runner handicap at Leopardstown last week, winning by a narrow margin on heavy ground. Although the 8lb rise in the weights looks tough, there could be further improvement from this horse, and he could be worth considering as an each-way bet.

Barnhill Rose is a consistent mare who will appreciate the return to 1m after finishing close up behind Asisaid over 7f at Leopardstown last week. Her shortlisted form and ability to handle the ground make her a strong contender.

Everylittlestep is a maiden, but has placed several times and showed a lot of promise when beaten only 2l at Navan over 1m2f on heavy ground. Returned to 1m, she is considered as one of the better options and could be worth an each-way bet.

Pallasmore Lass is a maiden after 18 Flat runs, but has plenty of placed form at this trip on all sorts of ground, including on her final appearance at Cork in September. Although she lacks a recent run, the booking of Colin Keane is a positive sign, and she could be in with a chance of a place.

Narlita is returning from a 299-day break and was a close third on her handicap debut at Bellewstown over 1m on heavy ground last week. However, concerns about the quick turnaround and the addition of a hood for the first time make her a risky bet.

Sadiqaa is an interesting runner, having won twice in the UK on fast ground but handles deeper conditions. Last week’s debut for this yard at Leopardstown behind Asisaid showed promise, and he could be worth an each-way bet.

Overall, Barnhill Rose looks to be the strongest contender for the win, followed closely by Everylittlestep and Pallasmore Lass. Asisaid and Sadiqaa are both outsiders worth considering for an each-way bet.

17:10 Gowran ParkWed 12 Apr 1m6f Hcap

Blazing Skies won her maiden over 1m4f at this course before finishing a distant 8th in a Listed race at Naas last season. This race looks tough for her on handicap debut.

Grecian Slipper won her maiden at Navan and has been tried at Listed and Group 3 level since then. She has run well in those races and with a peak RPR of 100, this mark could be manageable for her. However, she has been off for seven months and may need the run.

Harry’s Legacy has won over further distances than this race, at 1m7f and 2m1f. He signed off last season with some competitive efforts in deep-ground 2m handicaps, but this distance may not suit his finishing kick.

Kingswear has won twice for Godolphin, but has struggled in three AW starts for his current stable. He was beaten 16l in a 1m6f heavy-ground conditions race at Navan, so it’s questionable what he achieved that day. It’s difficult to see him as a contender.

Mellow Magic has only won once in 14 starts and this trip might be on the short side for him. He ran well over 2m last season, including a third in the consolation race for the Northumberland Plate.

Molly’s Gamble won two handicaps at Killarney last season at 1m and 1m3f. She ran well at Galway the final time, but she might be high in the weights now.

Mr Rango beat 25 rivals with a bit in hand over 1m2f at the Curragh and ran well at Naas over the same distance on the back of a 13lb hike. He is up another 4lb for this race, and his stamina is unproven at this trip, but he could still be in with a chance.

Newfoundland won his maiden for Aidan O’Brien at this distance and was then thrown into the deep end for his handicap debut at Royal Ascot (1m4f), where he didn’t shape too badly. He was gelded over the winter, and it will be interesting to see if he has improved for his new stable. However, he is unraced on soft ground.

Phoenix Cowboy is a three-time winner, but he lost his way last season and his comeback effort wasn’t up to much. With top weight, he looks vulnerable in this race.

Shajak won once in eight starts for Johnny Murtagh, a 1m4f fast-ground maiden. He performed to a good level in his subsequent places at 1m2f-1m6f, but his only run on soft ground was disappointing. Now gelded, he makes his first run for his new yard.

Whirling Dervish has won four times under all codes, but he has pulled up in his last two hurdle races, and his current form is a concern.

Based on these comments, the top three horses with the potential to win are Mr Rango, Newfoundland, and Mellow Magic. Mr Rango has shown good form in his last two starts and could continue to improve. Newfoundland is an interesting contender on his debut for his new stable, but it’s uncertain how he will handle the soft ground. Mellow Magic has run well over longer distances and could pose a threat if fully tuned up for this race.

Grecian Slipper could also be in with a chance if she is fit enough after her seven-month break, while Harry’s Legacy may find this distance too short. Kingswear, Blazing Skies, Phoenix Cowboy, and Shajak look unlikely to win, and the current form of Whirling Dervish is a concern

17:45 Gowran ParkWed 12 Apr 1m1f Hcap

In this race, there are several horses that seem to have a good chance of winning, including Bringsty, Golden Sandbanks, and Barretstown.

Bringsty seems to be in good form and has just won a handicap at Leopardstown. Colin Keane rode him to success, and his recent win might indicate that he could improve again, despite carrying a 9lb rise. He is likely to have a strong chance of winning this race.

Golden Sandbanks is a versatile runner who has won over hurdles and chases, as well as on the Flat. He ran well on his reappearance in a handicap at Dundalk, where he finished fourth, and the cheekpieces are back on for this race. If he can translate his good form on the all-weather to the turf, he should be in with a good chance.

Barretstown has been runner-up on four occasions over turf, despite having no wins to his name on grass. He was a winner on his recent reappearance at Dundalk and has the potential to build on that success, despite carrying an additional 5lb.

Anycity is another horse to keep an eye on, as he has won twice on the all-weather in Britain and put in a creditable performance over this distance at Navan. He could improve upon his performance there and has the potential to be a challenger.

Astrophysicist is a former C&D winner who was placed over 1m4f at Galway in his final flat run. He hasn’t been in great form over jumps lately but is not to be underestimated in this race, especially with the blinkers back on.

Chimeric has only won one race in 31 attempts but won a classified event at Newcastle last time out. He is suited by the emphasis on stamina and could be a surprise package.

Tastyee has been thereabouts in previous handicaps but has questions to answer over this distance and lacks a recent run.

The remaining horses, including Contrapposto, Griseo, Lofoten, Lord Park, Rockview Roman, Songline, Starlight Rose, Tooso, Ventnor, and Fire Coral, all have either shown limited form, been out of form recently, or have other issues that make it difficult to see them winning this race.

In conclusion, Bringsty, Golden Sandbanks, and Barretstown are the top three horses to keep an eye on in this race, with Anycity and Astrophysicist as potential challengers.

18:15 Gowran ParkWed 12 Apr 1m1f Mdn

Astar: This filly has shown progressive form and finished second in a maiden at Galway on heavy ground. With a 163-day break, she has very good form claims.

Fratas: Fratas has had two races and finished ninth of 12 in a maiden at Navan on heavy ground. With lots to find, she is unlikely to feature in this race.

Glen Cusher: This Free Eagle filly is a half-sister to two winners and has a 1.5m-winning dam. Her market performance will likely indicate her chances.

Kelly’s Out: This Australia filly cost 10,000Euros as a yearling and is the half-sister to a useful 1m-1m4f winner, Miner’s Lamp. Her performance in the market may guide her chances.

Kermiya: Kermiya is a Fastnet Rock filly who is closely related to three winners, including a useful 1m2f Group-placed winner and a 1m winner. With a 1.25m-1.5m-winning dam, she is a noteworthy newcomer and catches the eye on paper.

Lan Mara: A lightly-raced filly who finished last of 10 in a maiden at this course over 7f, off the track for eight months and significantly up in trip. She needs to bounce back to be a contender.

Point To Prove: Point To Prove has had two races, finishing eighth of 10 in a maiden at Leopardstown on heavy ground last week. She is unlikely to feature in this race.

Stariam: This Sea The Stars filly is closely related to a 7f Group 3 winner and has a modest 1m-winning dam. She has some chance in this race.

Sugaree: Sugaree is a Camelot filly that cost 200,000Euros as a yearling and is the first foal of a useful French winner. With an entry in the Irish Oaks, she is an interesting newcomer and has lots to like on paper.

Overall, Astar is the most progressive runner in this field, and her strong form claims make her a leading contender to win this race. Kermiya also catches the eye on paper and is a noteworthy newcomer that could be in with a chance. Sugaree is another interesting newcomer with a high price tag and an entry in the Irish Oaks, so she should be watched closely.

18:45 Gowran ParkWed 12 Apr 1m1f Mdn

Bright N Shine has shown nothing in his previous two runs, so it’s hard to make a case for him to win here. Carlo Bianconi is an interesting newcomer, being trained by a top team, but it’s difficult to make a strong case for him without any form to go on.

Cormac T is half-brother to several useful winners and has a solid pedigree, so could be worth keeping an eye on. Firm Handshake is also a half-brother to some winners, and his trainer has a good record with juveniles, so he is worth a market check.

Free Flow ran a decent race on his debut and could improve here, while Goldenstatewarrior has a good pedigree and could be a big player in this race. Partisan Hero also has a good pedigree, and his trainer has a good record with juveniles, so he could be one to watch.

Overall, Goldenstatewarrior looks like the most likely winner, with Free Flow and Partisan Hero also in with a chance of finishing in the top three.

19:15 Gowran ParkWed 12 Apr 1m1f Mdn

1. Esculenta: Although she remains a maiden after 11 runs, Esculenta has been competing in pattern races and getting closer to winning. She finished within 3 lengths of the top-class Tuesday in one of her maidens, and her last two defeats were in pattern races. She should be a major player in this company.
2. Most Wanted: This once-raced gelding finished third in a maiden at Leopardstown (10f, soft) on debut, where he was beaten under a length. That form has been franked, with the winner now a useful hurdler for Paul Nicholls and the second successful next time at the Curragh. Although he hasn’t raced since October, he should have every chance.
3. Party Central: This very useful jumper has won two bumpers and four hurdles out of six starts. She won a Listed hurdle for mares on her final appearance last April and could easily make her mark in a race of this nature. Her first run on the flat, but she’s an interesting debutant.

Other horses that could be in with a chance include Riverina Charm, Unterberg, and Fernao. Riverina Charm came up just short in an ordinary 1m maiden at Dundalk in November, but that was a promising start, and she’s bred to improve for longer trips. Unterberg’s pedigree suggests that he might improve plenty for this longer trip, and Fernao, a Frankel colt out of a 1m winner in France, is making a belated debut but is worth a market check.

Horses that are less likely to perform well include Akaabir, Old Peculier, Bobbys Angel, and Chicago Storm.